The Los Angeles Lakers today announced a new, multi-year radio broadcasting agreement with 710 ESPN beginning in the 2009-10 season.
As the flagship station for the Lakers’ radio coverage, 710 ESPN will carry all 82 regular season and any playoff games, as well as pre- and post-game coverage and preseason games.
“This is an exciting but somewhat bittersweet announcement for the Lakers organization,” said Jeanie Buss, Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “KLAC has been a wonderful partner for more than three decades and we greatly respect and appreciate everything they have done. At the same time, we feel strongly that the time is right for this move to 710 ESPN.”
Buss said the decision was influenced by strength of the ESPN brand and the substantial investment the company has made in the L.A. market. 710 ESPN, for example, plans to broadcast pre- and post-game coverage from the new state-of-the-art ESPN studios at L.A. Live across the street from STAPLES Center.
“It’s hard to imagine two groups better suited to working together than the Lakers and ESPN,” said Jim Pastor, SVP, ESPN Radio Station Group. “The move to L.A. Live and the vast resources of both organizations provide an incredible opportunity to serve Lakers fans for years to come. We couldn’t be prouder to call 710 ESPN their new home.”
The Lakers radio broadcasting team of play-by-play announcer Spero Dedes and color commentator Mychal Thompson will move with the team to the new station.
In addition to game coverage, 710 ESPN will broadcast additional Lakers-themed programming, including hourly team news reports, regular remote broadcasts from Lakers community events and a new weekly Lakers “insider” program. Details of these and other initiatives will be released prior to the commencement of 710 ESPN’s broadcasts next season.
The Lakers’ commitment with the current rights holder, AM 570 KLAC, expires at the end of the 2008-09 season.
